“The Father who is holy perfects his children through the medicine of mercy that is administered gradually over a lifetime.”
~Scott Hahn
Reflection:
Where in my life am I being invited to trust God’s mercy to work slowly and patiently rather than demanding immediate perfection?
Scripture:
“And I am sure that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6
No matter how far
down the scales we have gone
no matter the depravity of our sin
or the depth of our despair
even if we have run headfirst
into the pits of Hades
shackled within the furnace
of conscious torment
by the chains of self-destruction
it is not too late
the Lord is near
if we turn around
and look up to the heavens
we will see God’s loving hand
reaching down
to rescue us from death
welcoming us into life with Him
if only we accept it
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in my life do I feel furthest from God, and what would it mean to turn toward His outstretched hand in that very place?
Scripture:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NRSVCE)
“To say that God turns away from the sinful is like saying that the sun hides from the blind.”
~St. Anthony the Great
Reflection:
Where might spiritual blindness—fear, shame, regret, or discouragement—be keeping you from experiencing the nearness of God?
Scripture:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5
I follow Christ
not because I am good
but because He is good
for on my own
my will led me to despair
desolation and self destruction
in my weakness
He is strong
in my mistakes
He is forgiving
in my grieving
He is my comfort
in my nothingness
I turned to Him
and He gave me everything
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection Question:
When have you most clearly experienced God’s strength working through your weakness?
Related Bible Verse:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
“How happy I am to see myself imperfect and be in need of God’s mercy.”
~Thérèse of Lisieux
Reflection:
How might embracing your imperfections open you to experience more deeply the mercy and love of God?
Scripture:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
“I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.”
~St Francis of Assisi
Reflection:
How might I allow God to work through my imperfections to bring light and love into the world?
Scripture:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
—2 Corinthians 4:7
“Trust more in the mercy of God and less in your own judgment.”
~Teresa of Avila
That the God
of the heavens and earth
sun and moon
mountains and seas
winds and rain
that the God
of all creation
loves me
in my insignificance
in my resistance
my defiance
my flaws and imperfections
that the God
who gives and takes life
cares about my life
brings me to my knees
in gratitude
praise be to the God
who loves even me
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Eternal sustainer
the beat of my heart
the life in my breath
flowers grow
of your goodness
trees fall at your will
we are saved
by your mercy
your word spoke
life into existence
your word speaks
life into existence
should you cease
to think of us
we would cease to be
every moment
heartbeat
breath
thought
a generous gift
of grace made manifest
from you we are becoming
to you we are returning
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Grappling With Divinity 